RK-712

[printed Letterhead] No. Smithsonian Institution, 232[written] [printed] Washington, D. C. [written] Jan 22nd [printed] 18 [written] 59

C. D. Wilbur Dear Sir; - I have been informed (but wrongly I earnestly hope) that an effort will be made to have the zoölogical survey - in case one is ordered – be[strikethrough] placed under the general head of aid to the State Nat. Hist. Society and not in my charge; on the ground that it should “not stand alone as a private affair” – or something to that effect.

If this is done it amounts to the assumption, on the part of the Society, that I[strikethrough] it would not be proper to place me in charge, and

I would respectfully beg leave to protest against any such effort on[strikethrough] the[strikethrough] part[strikethrough] of[strikethrough] the[strikethrough] society,[strikethrough] and[strikethrough] for[strikethrough] the[strikethrough]